8 Best Travel Hair Dryers That Are Powerful and Packable
These petite picks will blow you away.
Reviewed by Sabina WizemannBeauty Lab Director
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Don't let the small size deceive you: The best travel hair dryers on the market today are mightier than ever, with some of the same bells and whistles you'd find on a standard-size hair dryer. Personally, I often opt for a lightweight travel dryer, especially when I'm just rough drying my hair before curling or straightening it.
While travel blow dryers have been known not to be as powerful and efficient as full-sized options, the technology has significantly improved in recent years. Though regular dryers "typically emphasize power and are known to have more advanced styling features for faster and more efficient drying," says Sabina Wizemann, Beauty Lab Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, many current travel hair dryers have multiple speed and heat setting options just like their bigger, bulkier counterparts.
Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists regularly test all types of hair dryers, hair dryer brushes, curling wands and other hair tools for performance on human hair samples and technical attributes, plus distribute them to consumer testers, who evaluate them at home for ease of use and effects on hair. In our most recent test of travel hair dryers, we evaluated 10 models and recorded over 1,500 data points (including temperature measurements, airflow measurements, the weight of hair dryers themselves, hair swatches before and after blow drying and consumer testing data) to determine which delivered the most gorgeous, salon-level blowouts.
Check out our top picks, which include the winning models from our test, as well as editor favorites, plus tips from celebrity hairstylists Clariss Rubenstein and Nick Stenson.
Shark Beauty SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher and High-Velocity Hair Dryer
Pros
- Dries hair quickly
- Gets very hot
- Leaves hair silky and shiny
- Testers felt it worked as well as a full-size dryer
Cons
- On the heavier side
- Doesn't fold up
Watts: 1700 | Weight: 1.65 lbs | Speed Settings: 3 | Heat Settings: 4 | Dual Voltage: No
In our Beauty Lab tests, this sleek model had the fastest drying speed and offered the highest air temperature. It also received the best score for drying hair as quickly as a regular-sized hair dryer. With three speeds, three attachments and four heat settings, Shark's speedy dryer is super versatile and great for all hair types and different styles. While it is a travel-friendly tool, this is the heaviest one we tested and doesn't fold up.
Testers say: Testers ranked it the highest at giving the desired look, making hair silky and working as well as a full-size dryer. "I've started using it as my everyday hair dryer because I liked using it so much on my first trip," one tester said.
Pros
- Dries hair quickly
- Affordable
- Three heat settings to choose from
Cons
- Short cord
- Bulky
Watts: 1875 | Weight: 1.32 lbs | Speed Settings: 2 | Heat Settings: 3 | Dual Voltage: Yes
This Conair dryer scored high in our travel hair dryer test and it's a GH Beauty Award winner. It blew away the competition when it came to drying speed, drying standardized human hair samples fastest of all the travel hairdryers we tested (in just 60 seconds!).
While a little bulky for a travel dryer, we think it's a versatile and budget-friendly option, complete with three heat and two speed settings. It does have a shorter cord length than others, though, so you'll need to plug it in close to a mirror if you need one.
Testers say: “It has strong airflow and high heat,” one tester said, while another said they liked that it “offered the most control options.”
Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow Dryer
Pros
- Quick drying
- Perfect score for easy-to-use controls
- Longest nozzle and handles
- Folds up easily
Cons
- Pricey
- Attachments don't always come on and off easily
Watts: 1200 | Weight: 1.3 lbs | Speed Settings: 2 | Heat Settings: 2 | Dual Voltage: Yes
Our analysts were impressed by the travel-sized version of Drybar's best-selling hair dryer — in fact, it came out on top in our travel hair dryer tests.
The dual-voltage model delivers fast-drying power in a conveniently compact package that folds at the handle and offers two heat settings plus a cool shot button to lock in your style. It landed perfect scores in our Lab evaluations for its easy-to-use controls, quick drying time and strong airflow. While it is pricey for a travel dryer, Wizemann notes that it's powerful enough to pull double-duty as a home and away option.
Testers say: "Wow, this is powerful," said one tester. "It's the right size and doesn't look like a travel dryer until you fold the handle." One other thing to note: Some testers commented that it was a bit heavier than other models they've tried, and the attachments weren't always easy to get on and off.
RELATED: How to Blow Dry Your Hair at Home
Stylecraft Peewee Dual Voltage Travel Dryer
Pros
- Super compact and easy to maneuver
- Comfy to hold
- Runs quietly
Cons
- Can get very hot
Watts: 1200 | Weight: 0.5 lbs | Speed Settings: 2 | Heat Settings: 2 | Dual Voltage: Yes
Impressively lightweight, this hair dryer is the quick fix you need for a weekend trip if you rely on using a hair diffuser. The Lab found it one of the most consistent models we tested across the board when it came to comfortable hold, quiet airflow and easy-to-use buttons. Plus, it comes with that diffuser, making it a great choice for those with curly hair. According to our Lab experts, it can get hot, so it's best for quick dries that don't require a cool shot button
Testers say: Testers loved that "there is a convenient stand for hands free styling" and that it was "light yet feels substantial."
RELATED: The Best Hair Dryers for Curly Hair
L'ange Le Styliste Luxe Digital Salon Dryer
Pros
- Multiple attachments
- Runs quietly
- Lightweight
Cons
- Pricey
Watts: 1875 | Weight: 1.2 lbs | Speed Settings: 3 | Heat Settings: 4 | Dual Voltage: Yes
In our testing, our Beauty Lab pros found the Le Styliste Luxe to be a great option for travel. Though it's not technically a travel dryer and doesn't fold, its compact size and weight are on par with other travel hair dryers we've tested.
For being so slender and petite, this 1875-watt hairdryer produced an impressively powerful airflow, drying hair quickly. It comes with two attachments and a diffuser and weighs 1.2 pounds with a cord. It was also quieter than many of the other hair dryers we evaluated.
Reviewer says: "It's so lightweight that it makes blowouts a breeze," one Ulta reviewer shared. "I love that I can adjust the temperature as well as the air speed."
Revlon Fast Dry Travel Styler
Pros
- Dries hair fast
- Budget-friendly
- High heat temperature
Cons
- Difficult to switch attachments
- Loud
Watts: 1875 | Weight: 1.18 lbs | Speed Settings: 2 | Heat Settings: 2 | Dual Voltage: Yes
Revlon's Fast Dry Travel Styler checks off all the boxes of a good travel hair dryer: It's dual-voltage and offers two heat and speed settings, a cool shot button and a folding handle.
Though sleek in design, our Lab testers did find it to be a bit loud and a little difficult to switch between attachments. But we're giving it points for being extremely powerful. In fact, it's the only dryer we tested that earned a perfect airflow score.
Reviewer says: "This compact hair dryer is lightweight, folds easily and fits well in a travel bag," one Amazon reviewer said. "Despite its size, the airflow is strong enough for quick drying."
Pros
- Leaves hair smooth and sleek
- Minimizes frizz
- Strong air flow
Cons
- Some testers didn't love the feel of hair after use
- Loud
Watts: 1875 | Weight: 1.35 lbs | Speed Settings: 3 | Heat Settings: 3 | Dual Voltage: No
Ideal for thick or coarse strands, Conair's baby blue dryer is pretty and powerful. In Lab tests, it had the strongest airflow and ranked high for drying speed. Plus, 100% of testers said it made hair look smooth and many felt it left hair frizz-free.
Testers Say: "I really love how compact yet powerful this hair dryer is," one said. "The diffuser attachment worked extremely well with my long and thick 3C hair texture." While the overall consensus was that it left a smooth and sleek look, some testers didn't love the way their hair felt after drying and found it to be loud.
RELATED: How to Get Rid of Frizz
STYLECRAFT Ace Foldable Lightweight Hair Dryer
Pros
- Good value
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Compact and portable
Cons
- Loud
Watts: 1600 | Weight: 1.1 lbs | Speed Settings: 2 | Heat Settings: 3 | Dual Voltage: No
This smart tool, at a fraction of the price of other winners, folds for easy toting and storage. In our Lab testing, 100% of testers found the dryer simple to use, lightweight and portable — a few even noted that the cord is not bulky. It also stood out among the highest performers due to its compact size, high-quality materials and slide switch controls. The one con: some felt it was on the noisier side.
Testers Say: “It dried hair more quickly than expected,” one said. "This dryer was so lightweight that I didn't feel like I needed to take multiple breaks to give my arm a rest," another shared.
How we test travel hair dryers
When it comes to testing hair dryers, our Beauty Lab pros measure everything from the surface temperature to the ease of use, including the comfort of hold, its weight and its cord length.
In our most recent travel hair dryer test, we evaluated 10 top-rated travel hair dryers by measuring drying speed on standardized human hair samples, as well as airflow and the temperature they reach. We also rated noise level and ease of use, including the comfort of hold, ease of putting on and removing attachments and location of controls and buttons.
Overall, our beauty analysts recorded over 1,500 data points to determine which delivered the most gorgeous, salon-level blowouts. These include temperature measurements, airflow measurements, the weight of hair dryers themselves and the weight of hair swatches before and after blow drying, plus consumer testing data and scores. In this list, we included the final eight that outperformed all the others.
If you are traveling internationally, take note that every travel dryer we tested in our Lab features dual voltage, meaning these mini blow dryers can function in the United States and abroad, so no worries about blowing a fuse here.
What to look for in a travel hair dryer
We called on hair pros celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein and Matrix Artistic Director Nick Stenson for their best shopping advice on mini hair dryers:
✔️ Size: You'll find varied weight and size options with travel dryers, but Stenson suggests keeping it under 1.5 pounds. Another bonus with purchasing a travel dryer is finding one that collapses or folds to allow for easier packing, he adds.
✔️ Wattage: Voltage and wattage should be more of a concern if you’re traveling internationally. Stenson recommends 1875 watts as the sweet spot for most hair dryers.
✔️ Voltage: For international travel, you’ll want to make sure it has dual voltage so it can function in the United States and abroad. Otherwise, using an adapter with a standard voltage hair dryer can potentially blow a fuse and ruin your hair tool, so proceed with caution.
✔️ Attachments: A great travel dryer should also come with a concentrator and diffuser attachments for versatility, says Stenson.
Is a travel hair dryer worth it?
If you use a blowdryer daily, yes. "For the moderate to the avid traveler, travel dryers are a fabulous investment that saves space and unnecessary weight in your luggage and keeps you looking your best on the go," says Stenson.
While travel hair dryers serve the same fundamental purpose as their full-size counterparts (drying and styling hair), they're "usually more compact and lightweight, and are designed to work with a variety of voltage standards and adaptability to different outlets in ways regular dryers typically are not," says Wizemann.
They may not have the same high-power performance as their full-sized counterparts, but they're still likely better than what you'll find in your hotel. "Even though a hotel blowdryer will do its job, it almost never has the same features as higher quality brands," Rubenstein adds.
Can you bring a travel hair dryer in a carry-on?
Yes, TSA approves hair dryers for packing in both carry-on and checked baggage. Wizemann recommends protecting it from other liquids by packing it in a separate waterproof bag, and padding the hair dryer between soft clothing for additional protection.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price most recently updated this article. She has over 15 years of experience researching and writing haircare and hairstyling stories.
GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann has more than a decade of experience testing hair tools, including hair dryers. She contributed her expertise to this piece, including information from Lab testing and background on the category.
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
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